All-Pro safety and former San Diego Chargers defensive captain Eric Weddle has reportedly signed with the Baltimore Ravens, giving them a huge boost in the secondary. Weddle was narrowing down his choices as he had four serious potential suitors - Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and the team he ended up with, the Ravens.
The Ravens just signed 35-year-old tight end and former New Orleans Saints starter Benjamin Watson, so it is clear they do not mind free agents that are a bit up there in terms of age. Weddle planned on taking all factors of each bidding city into account, and it seems as if Baltimore has everything Weddle needs to settle down and end his career.
At 30 years old, the safety could have spurned his former team (San Diego Chargers) by signing with the Oakland Raiders, however, it would have not been for as much money as he got when signing with Baltimore. Weddle will have a much bigger role in the Ravens secondary than he would have anywhere else as that unit performed terribly in 2015.
The addition of Weddle may make that entire unit better as the Ravens try to rebound from an absolutely brutal season. The team has been perennial playoff contenders, but in the past two seasons, they have taken a step back from its glory days as Super Bowl champs.
In 2015, the Ravens had quite possibly the worst string of injuries to hit an NFL team in a long time. Star wide receiver Steve Smith tore his Achilles, starting running back Justin Forsett broke his forearm, franchise quarterback Joe Flacco tore both his MCL and ACL, and veteran Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles, which sidelined them for the rest of the year.
If that wasn't bad enough, this top-notch defense lost some of its biggest players to career shortening injuries, and without pressure from the defensive line, the secondary struggled. The addition of Weddle should aid this Baltimore pass rush as teams may need to be more careful throwing the deep ball against the Ravens. Weddle's new contract is reportedly a four-year deal worth up to $26 million.
